JAMB Exam > JAMB Notes > Cheatsheet: Conflict
Cheatsheet: Conflict
1. Definition and Types of Conflict
1.1 Definition
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Conflict | The struggle or opposition between opposing forces in a story that drives the plot forward |
| Protagonist | The main character who faces the conflict |
| Antagonist | The force, character, or element that opposes the protagonist |
1.2 Types of Conflict
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Internal Conflict (Man vs. Self) | Psychological struggle within a character's mind involving emotions, choices, or moral dilemmas |
| External Conflict (Man vs. Man) | Physical or psychological struggle between a character and another character |
| Man vs. Society | Struggle between a character and social norms, laws, traditions, or cultural expectations |
| Man vs. Nature | Struggle between a character and natural forces like weather, animals, or environment |
| Man vs. Fate/Supernatural | Struggle between a character and destiny, God, or supernatural forces beyond human control |
| Man vs. Technology | Struggle between a character and machines, artificial intelligence, or technological systems |
2. Elements of Conflict
2.1 Conflict Structure
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Exposition | Introduction of characters, setting, and initial situation before conflict emerges |
| Rising Action | Series of events that build tension and complicate the conflict |
| Climax | The turning point or moment of highest tension where the conflict reaches its peak |
| Falling Action | Events that occur after the climax as conflict begins to resolve |
| Resolution/Denouement | Final outcome where conflicts are settled and loose ends are tied up |
2.2 Components of Effective Conflict
- Stakes: What the character stands to gain or lose
- Motivation: Why characters are involved in the conflict
- Obstacles: Barriers preventing characters from achieving their goals
- Tension: Uncertainty about the outcome that keeps readers engaged
- Opposition: Clear opposing forces with incompatible goals
3. Functions of Conflict in Prose Fiction
3.1 Plot Development
- Drives the narrative forward by creating cause-and-effect relationships
- Generates suspense and maintains reader interest
- Creates turning points that change the story's direction
- Establishes the story's central problem that needs resolution
3.2 Character Development
- Reveals character traits through responses to challenges
- Tests character values, beliefs, and moral principles
- Forces characters to make difficult choices that define them
- Creates opportunities for character growth and transformation
- Exposes character weaknesses and strengths
3.3 Thematic Significance
- Illustrates the author's message or central idea
- Explores universal human experiences and moral questions
- Highlights social, cultural, or political issues
- Creates meaning through how conflicts are resolved
4. Identifying Conflict in Prose Fiction
4.1 Key Questions for Analysis
- What does the protagonist want or need?
- What prevents the protagonist from achieving this goal?
- Who or what opposes the protagonist?
- What are the stakes if the protagonist fails?
- How does the conflict intensify throughout the story?
- Is the conflict primarily internal, external, or both?
4.2 Multiple Conflicts
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Conflict | The main struggle that drives the entire plot |
| Secondary Conflict | Subplots or smaller struggles that complement the main conflict |
| Layered Conflicts | Multiple conflicts operating simultaneously at different levels (internal and external) |
5. Conflict Resolution
5.1 Types of Resolution
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Complete Resolution | All conflicts are fully resolved; all questions answered |
| Partial Resolution | Main conflict resolved but some questions remain unanswered |
| Open-Ended | Conflict left unresolved; readers must infer the outcome |
| Tragic Resolution | Protagonist fails or is defeated; negative outcome |
| Happy Resolution | Protagonist succeeds; positive outcome achieved |
| Ironic Resolution | Outcome contradicts expectations or reveals unexpected truth |
5.2 Methods of Resolution
- Compromise: Both sides give up something to reach agreement
- Victory: One side defeats the other completely
- Sacrifice: Character gives up something valuable to resolve conflict
- Transformation: Character changes internally, altering their relationship to the conflict
- Intervention: Outside force or deus ex machina resolves the conflict
- Acceptance: Character accepts the situation rather than changing it
6. Analyzing Conflict for Examinations
6.1 Essential Analysis Points
- Identify the type(s) of conflict present in the text
- Explain who or what the opposing forces are
- Describe how the conflict develops from beginning to end
- Analyze the protagonist's response to the conflict
- Evaluate how the conflict is resolved
- Discuss the significance of the conflict to the overall theme
- Examine how conflict reveals character traits
- Consider whether the resolution is satisfying and why
6.2 Common Literary Devices Related to Conflict
| Device | Function in Conflict |
|---|---|
| Foreshadowing | Hints at future conflicts or their outcomes |
| Flashback | Reveals past events that explain current conflicts |
| Irony | Creates conflict between appearance and reality or expectation and outcome |
| Symbolism | Represents conflicts through objects, settings, or events |
| Dialogue | Reveals conflicts between characters through conversation |
| Internal Monologue | Exposes internal conflicts within a character's thoughts |
6.3 Writing About Conflict
- Use specific examples and quotations from the text
- Connect conflict analysis to character development
- Link conflict to the author's thematic purpose
- Discuss cause-and-effect relationships in conflict development
- Evaluate the effectiveness of conflict in engaging the reader
- Compare different characters' responses to similar conflicts
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing conflict with simple disagreement or argument
- Identifying only external conflicts while missing internal struggles
- Stating that conflict exists without explaining its nature or significance
- Failing to trace how conflict develops throughout the narrative
- Ignoring the relationship between conflict and theme
- Overlooking secondary or subplot conflicts
- Not explaining how conflict contributes to characterization
- Discussing plot events without connecting them to conflict structure
8. Quick Reference for Conflict Analysis
8.1 Analysis Checklist
- What type of conflict? (Internal/External/Both)
- What specific category? (Man vs. Man, Self, Society, Nature, Fate, Technology)
- Who are the opposing forces?
- What are the stakes?
- How does tension build?
- What is the climax?
- How is it resolved?
- What does it reveal about character?
- How does it connect to theme?
8.2 Key Terms for Essays
- Protagonist, antagonist, opposition, struggle
- Rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
- Internal struggle, external pressure, moral dilemma
- Tension, suspense, stakes, motivation
- Character development, transformation, growth
- Thematic significance, symbolic meaning
- Cause and effect, turning point, obstacle
About this Document
Apr 20, 2026 Last updated
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